The UFC on FOX 13 event scheduled for December 13th in Phoenix, Arizona has added an all-European heavyweight fight featuring Stefan Struve and Alistair Overeem. Both men were once considered among the company’s best prospects in the Heavyweight division, but a lot has changed in the past two years for both men. Entering this December match, both men are at a definite cross-roads in their careers.
Overeem was seen losing his last outing just two weeks ago, as he was TKO’d by Ben Rothwell in the opening few minutes of their fight, dropping his record to 1-3 overall in the UFC. UFC President Dana White was on record stating Overeem would receive another fight, and here it is.
Struve is still just 26 years old, but he has not fought in 18 months and is coming off a loss in his last outing that only serves to highlight a glaring weakness of his, which is his chin. After the fight, he was diagnosed with a heart condition that will at some point require surgery. He was booked to face Matt Mitrione for UFC 175 back in July, but had the match cancelled for medical reasons. The stories describing the incident range from a fainting spell to heart palpitations and a panic attack.
Whatever it was, if the doctors and commissions clear him and Struve can leave the baggage behind and just fight, he will be fine. His size (7 footer) makes him a unique force in the octagon, and he is hard to prepare for. He is solid in the stand-up game and good on the ground, so the questions around Struve are based on his health concerns.
For Overeem, the questions come once the cage is closed. Overeem is massive, ad though he will be facing a seven footer, Overeem likely is the most impressive physical specimen on the roster, but his entire body seems to be made of the stuff that taints Struve’s cvhin, as he has taken very little punishment before succumbing in his UFC fights. If he absorbed damage like say, Ben Rothwell or even the long retired veteran Heath Herring, Overeem would be nearly unbeatable, but he fades as soon as he is met with an offense.
Hoping Struve is OK health wise and back on his game, he should be able to hurt Overeem, and we will see if Overeem finds a little gameness.
